Get Real with Jim Weiss

Founder Len Kozhukh on The Oral Microbiome and Writing a New Playbook for Longevity

Founder Len Kozhukh sees a new horizon of health - using a quick assessment of your oral microbiome to PREVENT THE EVENT, one of the pillars of this show. In a special in-person episode, Jim and Len discuss Len's company nihl and how Len hopes it can be the start of a longevity revolution. We need to free everyone's health data so you can be in the driver's seat - can our saliva be the key? Let's find out!

Sean Khozin, MD: From Revolution to Precision Oncology

Sean Khozin has lived through revolution, rebuilt from scratch, and gone on to help reshape modern oncology. In this episode of Get Real, Sean shares his journey from fleeing Iran as a child to leading at the highest levels of cancer research, regulation, and innovation at the NCI, FDA, Johnson & Johnson, and now as CEO of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer. We explore why cancer is always personal, how AI can restore the doctor‑patient relationship, and why data must become liquid to unlock precision medicine. This is a wide‑ranging chat about science, freedom, music, and why the future of healthcare only works if it starts with the patient.

Dr. Robert Califf on the Future of Public Health

Former FDA Commissioner, practicing cardiologist, and adjunct professor at Duke University, Dr. Robert Califf joins the conversation to unpack the complex world of public health, drug regulation, and medical innovation. He offers a clear-eyed perspective on how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration makes decisions that impact millions of lives. Dr. Califf explores the ongoing effort to build public trust in science and emphasizes why that trust is essential to better health outcomes. He also shares insight into the future of healthcare, from data-driven medicine to the role of prevention in improving outcomes across populations. This episode is a thoughtful look at the systems that shape modern medicine and what it will take to make them work better for everyone.

Bravery Is A Practice with Jill Schulman

Bravery expert, Jill Schulman, author of The Bravery Effect, reframes bravery as a trainable skill rather than an innate trait. She explains how “bravery reps” build confidence and self-trust by acting despite fear, and why fear is often a social signal pointing toward growth rather than real danger. Drawing on science, psychology, and her own experience, Jill outlines a three-part framework for courage: mindset, behavior, and environment. In an era where AI democratizes knowledge, she argues that bravery and human connection are the new differentiators for success. The conversation explores how avoiding discomfort fuels anxiety, how leaning into fear builds resilience, and why cultivating a “brave tribe” of mentors accelerates growth. From workplace candor and innovation to personal confidence and leadership, this episode shows how practicing courage transforms performance, relationships, and well-being.

From PCR to Portfolio: Christine Aylward is Funding Life Sciences

Christine Aylward is the founder and managing partner of Magnetic Ventures, a VC built on a thesis: the future of life sciences will be technology-driven. Her bet, placed in 2018, is paying off. Her path to venture capital is unique. She started at Roche, working on PCR, arguably the most revolutionary technology at the intersection of tech and life sciences in the last century. Then she co-founded a media company with Natalie Portman. Then she launched Magnetic, raising money for companies using machine learning to transform drug discovery, clinical trials, and more. Jim and Christine get into what it really takes to spot transformative science before it's obvious, why machine learning matters more than the word AI, and why the translation from technology to product is so hard.